'Mahayuti members can go solo if...': NCP leader's remark suggests rift in alliance, BJP says 'rein him in'
'Mahayuti members can go solo if...': NCP leader's remark suggests rift in alliance, BJP says 'rein him in'
Nationalist Congress Party leader Amol Mitkari’s statement that the Mahayuti members can go solo in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls if each constituent demands 100 seats has sparked a row. It also evoked sharp reactions from the BJP.
Mitkari on Tuesday stressed the impracticality of accommodating such demands within the 288-seat Maharashtra assembly.
“If each constituent adamantly insists on contesting 100 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections, then the parties will have to contest separately. With only 288 assembly seats available, being offered only 55 seats would be unacceptable for the party," said NCP spokesperson Mitkari at an event.
The Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. While the Shiv Sena is led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the NCP is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
BJP legislative party leader in the Legislative Council, Pravin reacted to Mitkari’s remark. "Mitkari should be reined in by senior leaders of his party. The party's chief or state president should clarify whether Mitkari is authorised to make such comments. Seat-sharing discussions will take place among the top leaders,” said Darekar.
Mitkari had recently criticised BJP leaders by defending NCP chief Ajit Pawar after the Pune Porsche crash incident. He had hinted that similar incidents had occurred when BJP leader and state minister for higher and technical education Chandrakant Patil was the guardian minister of Pune district.
The BJP denied Mitkari's claims and urged the NCP to caution him against making such comments.
Mitkari had also recently batted for an alliance with the Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), which hobnobbed with Maha Vikas Aghadi, for the Maharashtra assembly elections. However, Mitkari had stated that it was his personal view.
The term of the current state assembly is scheduled to end in 2024, with the next legislative assembly election expected to be held in or before October 2024 to elect all 288 members of the state’s legislative assembly. However, the Election Commission of India has yet to confirm or announce the dates for the electoral polls.